The original idea was that you wanted to keep your heading on-track for the pad, so you couldn't just mindlessly dodge stuff. So.. the pad might have been a wider area, but equally, missing it would have meant a point deduction (save on the gas giant where it would be a failure).
Never got around to the specifics of mind you, further than an unused HUD marker to help keep you on course -- do have to wonder if it would make the game more annoying though ^^;
(but forgot to say, thanks for playing! >w<)